Teaching and the movies: UNE explores fantasy in popular teacher films

Abstract

Film has come to play a large role in everyday life, and popular images in film are often viewed uncritically by audiences. Studying teacher films is an effective way to look at the stereotypes associated with the teaching profession. As pre-service teachers, it is important to learn how to differentiate between reality and fantasy, whilst not disregarding the fantasy completely. "Inscribed in the fantasy structures of film and in their spectators' readings one finds material fundamentally useful in teachers' learning" (Robertson 1997:27). 'Mr Holland's Opus', 'Dead Poets Society' and 'Dangerous Minds' are three of the many teacher films that portray teaching as a heroic profession, in which rebellion can bring about success. Such films often provoke a sense of fear and anxiety within pre-service teachers, as we come to believe that to be a "quality" teacher we must perform extraordinary tasks.